ESPN in Indy

[Steppenwolf]

Is there a radio station in Indianapolis that carries ESPN? Didn't WNDE used to?

 

[NDMA90]

WXLW-AM 950 is an ESPN affiliate

 

[radiowannab]

Any one know what the rules are with picking up something like ESPN as far as content? I know the local folks just do like a 3 hour show each day. The rest is syndicated. I would think it would be far more beneficial (and interesting to us listners) to have something other than the same old boring national shows, especially at night. Can they just not find any decent talent to host the shows are are they required to run so much of the programming ESPN supplies?

 

[DouglasB]

Any one know what the rules are with picking up something like ESPN as far as content? I know the local folks just do like a 3 hour show each day. The rest is syndicated. I would think it would be far more beneficial (and interesting to us listners) to have something other than the same old boring national shows, especially at night. Can they just not find any decent talent to host the shows are are they required to run so much of the programming ESPN supplies?

It's about money. And money. First off, for the station, it's less expensive to run the ESPN content rather than pay for local talent across all dayparts. Good talent in this specialty arena is scarce and a good host/hosts can cost big bucks in addition to the other expenses involved in doing live/talk.
In this case, the station, being a business, has chosen to keep their overhead low by using lower cost programming while still attempting to serve a niche market.

 

[B.B. Lean]

ESPN has pretty onerous barter terms - for every hour that you DON'T run their programming, they eat up a significant percentage of your inventory... so you're left with very few avails and opportunities to make money. Sports radio has become a tricky market - good sports talent can demand a high salary, and if you don't have the ESPN brand, you're fighting a tough battle against the station that does... so it's really hard to make it work with strong local content if you're not in a big market and can get high-profile play-by-play.

I keep hearing rumors about Emmis stealing the ESPN affiliation and putting either that or WIBC on one of their FM's - anybody heard an update on that recently?

 

[ChiefEngineer]

What a waste of WIBC

Would love to see a WIBC that carried weather when there was bad weather. Unfortunately it is very selective on weather coverage.

 

[radioho]

What a waste of WIBC
Would love to see a WIBC that carried weather when there was bad weather. Unfortunately it is very selective on weather coverage.

What a waste of ESPN! Depending on where you are in town - you can't hear it on XLW.

EVERY town the size of Indy or bigger has a prominent sports station with prominent ex-sports figures in key roles (shows with RATINGS!).

Why does Indy not have this - because of a low-budget owner that doesn't know any better - taking advise from a GM that has never worked in sports radio anywhere other than Indy as an INTERN before getting his 'prominent' role because he knows the owner.

Emmis could/hopefully WOULD spend the cash to bring in a top-notch BROADCASTER to anchor an afternoon drive program.

We literally have TWO KIDS doing pm drive in this town on the two sports stations - neither with any credibility. Neither played 'the game,' and neither have accomplished anything in the sports world, other than kissing a** of local players so they won't get punched in the locker room.

Emmis could afford quality talent. Sports radio is the final format available in this town that could be turned around to make money. I hope Emmis gets it (just as long as they don't move stazneack (sp?) into that role - he's tired enough on IBC).

As far as weather - you can get all the info you need from one of the two weather channels on local cable - oh wait - sorry usually during bad weather they have 'paid programming' airing!

 

[EStreeter]

In fairness to the guys at 950, they are kind of pidgeon holed by their lack of signal. They are sort of fighting an unfair fight. Greg and those guys do the best they can, but when you are hampered by a weak signal theres not a lot of amo to begin with. Couple that with sports radio not exactly being a big time venue in this city (other than to a small but loyal market) and there's not a lot anyone could do with 950 as it exists. I listen to Rake and Wak if Im in the car in the afternoon and I enjoy the show.

Who exactly would you put in the booth Ho? Indy is not like Chicago or Philly or Cleveland or Cincy. We do not have those beloved figures our city would embrace and listen to on a daily basis. We don't have a Rob Dibble or Steve McMichael. So what's the point in dropping a while bunch of money into something that won't garner an equivalent monetary return? The only way it would work is to catch lightning in a bottle with some unknown guy that really catches on and you pay him accordingly. And 950 or NDE certainly don't currently have those guys in their bullpen and probably arent going to take the time and effort to find them. I agree the city could use a controversial, high impact afternoon sports guy. If he is found, that person could easily grab a 2 or 3 share compared to the .8s the current sports talkers are getting. But unless you find a Rome or Cowherd, it isn't going to happen. And any Rome's or Cowherd's are already working for national programs, where they make national dollars.

It makes no sense for IBC to go sports. They are what, 4th or 5th in the books? Why take a huge gamble? Sports ratings in this town stink, regardless of their ownership being big (NDE) or small (XLW). It has little to do with how it is run. It's just there isnt that big an interest. And unless those 2 are willing to take huge gambles, think outside the boxes, and take risks that have downsides far larger then their potential ups, thats not going to change.

 

[radioho]

Estreeter) - weren't you also the Sports Director at WKLU? How'd that work out for ya?

Your post basically supported what I said - Indy needs a PROMINENT sports figure to anchor/host a drive time program. Who in Indy sports legend could that be? Didn't say it had to be an Indy alum - just SOMEONE who has played pro ball.

No, XLW cannot afford it, WNDE WON'T pay for it - hence the .8 ratings.

Emmis (which could move IBC to the FM frequency with Much more success, while offering a 50,000 watt sports station) has the deep pockets to invest in a quality former-sports player/broadcaster that could BUILD a dynamic presence. You say we don't have a Dibble or McMichael - but are you telling me if Emmis hired either of those two that you would not listen because they are not from here? There would not be a lack of talent available if Emmis put the word out across this country.

Having played the game also opens the door for quality guests/friends to appear. Not just a telephone PR conversation, or "interviews" with newspaper columnists and other low-level talk hosts from other cities, being dubbed as 'experts.'

The point you refer to about lack of resources is WHY Emmis would be better for the listener that yearns for quality local sport talk - they HAVE the resources - or can pay for them.

XLW does fine for what they are - a low-level station trying to have fun with their format. But the lack of quality talent is obvious from their top of the hour sports reports, to their in-house produced promos, to their afternoon show.

But Indy deserves better. And we don't need 'controversial' hosts, just someone who has played the game, can talk from experience, and doesn't spend the entire show telling us how much he likes to EAT!

 

[ChiefEngineer]

Jeff move WIBC to FM? Who dreamed that up.

WWFT exists because they can program a computer to place sat shows on the air. No staff and since they have a bunch of stations...low cost. I think they have 1 fulltime employee.

WIBC does have sat shows like Limbaugh but they also have a great deal of news support staff, even after the downsizing.

part of the ESPN problem has been mentioned. They want the world and switch station locations at a whim. WXLW used to be something but now it's ESPN 950. You spend the money to be McDonalds and McDonalds dumps you. Those golden arches don't work well when you have to be a Hardees.

Branding

Look at the markets like Nashville where ESPN switched to a Cumulous station. Dumped the longstanding station.


Now ESPN has lost most of it's good staff. Where is Mark Patrick anyway?

Place this jumbled mess on WIBC? Not a good move. We do have 2 National teams so one might think we could support a full time station. Don't look for jeff to dump WIBC just yet.

It still outperforms in ratings many 50k FMs tations. WZPL for example. Why not amke them sports?

 

[B.B. Lean]

The problem is WIBC's audience is dying. Yes, they get good 12+ numbers, but outside of Rush, their 25-54 numbers are not great. They do great in 55+, but we all know what happens to stations with old audiences - they get turned into Jack. They realize the problem, and friends in the building tell me that they have had many meetings about what to do about it. I heard Garrison flipped his lid when told he should try to make his show more relatable to a younger audience. Moving to FM is one strong option - whole new cume there that does not sample the AM dial.

Regarding the former player angle - there are plenty of Indy sports figures who could fill that role. Former Colts, former Pacers, racing stars. No shortage there, just gotta find the right one with a good personality who's willing to do it. It wouldn't take but about a month or so worth of legwork to figure it out. Emmis is in the perfect position to pull it off.

 

[Phus]

WWFT exists because they can program a computer to place sat shows on the air. No staff and since they have a bunch of stations...low cost. I think they have 1 fulltime employee.

I know of a few people on staff at WFT who would be offended to not be counted as part of the staff that helps keep the station on the air and sounding decent. I may be part time and only get to read a :15 second weather forecast once an hour but, dammit, it's my first radio gig with the big guys!

 

[radioho]

I may be part time and only get to read a :15 second weather forecast once an hour but, dammit, it's my first radio gig with the big guys!

YOU GO BOY! Tell 'em what it's all about! Just a bunch of old guys that are jealous they are not there doing what they THINK is radio. Don't listen to these yahoos - enjoy it and put everything you have in that :15 seconds of weather.

btw phus, i love that quote, mind if i steal it for my sig?

 

[ChiefEngineer]

WWFT exists because they can program a computer to place sat shows on the air. No staff and since they have a bunch of stations...low cost. I think they have 1 fulltime employee.

I know of a few people on staff at WFT who would be offended to not be counted as part of the staff that helps keep the station on the air and sounding decent. I may be part time and only get to read a :15 second weather forecast once an hour but, dammit, it's my first radio gig with the big guys!

And this is the reason they have the format. We are not being unkind to you but you are employed because you are cheap. Minimum wage as opposed to a fulltime employee they would have to pay benefits to. The WalMart mentality.

In my first radio gigs I didn't know I like you qualified for food stamps and public assistance.

Great you have a job but you have a job because Cumulus is cheap. No comment on your talent but what will you learn reading a weather forecast :15 seconds once an hour?

And how many full time employees are there? How many were there before who were getting benefits? There may not be 10 people on Shadeland getting "benefits" now.

This is how the Dickeys make money....on your back.

Take their money and learn and move on. Good luck.

 

[radioho]

We are not being unkind to you but you are employed because you are cheap. Minimum wage as opposed to a fulltime employee they would have to pay benefits to. The WalMart mentality.

People like you, ChiefEngineer, are the reason Mom and Pop had to sell their radio stations to the corporates - they couldn't afford your overpaid salaries and benefits for reading the weather for :15 an hour.

Great you have a job but you have a job because Cumulus is cheap. No comment on your talent but what will you learn reading a weather forecast :15 seconds once an hour?

No. Cumulus realizes a high school dropout could read weather for :15 seconds. WHY would you pay more than minimum wage?

And how many full time employees are there? How many were there before who were getting benefits? There may not be 10 people on Shadeland getting "benefits" now.

Entitlement mentality. I'm sure Hillary can count on your vote for her FREE health plan.

This is how the Dickeys make money....on your back.

And that's how corporate radio won - mom and pop couldn't afford to continue paying high wages for something a high school dropout could master. Radio is NOT rocket science - just transmitters and tubes - and someone reading the weather for :15 every hour.[/quote]

Take their money and learn and move on. Good luck.

That's what a minimum wage job is SUPPOSE to be used for.

PHUS - did I NOT JUST tell you that these people are jealous because you are doing the job they USED to do? Another VERY valuable lesson to be learned in this 'business.'

 

[ChiefEngineer]

Mom and Pop run automation these days. You are creating a scenario that doesn't exist.

Did I mention Cumulous is CHEAP?

I believe the way the Dickeys run their stations are on the backs of people. The one thing an automation system can't do well is record traffic from metro. This is why they need a live body.

Is radioho Lew Dickey?

In nashville the Dickeys did a real deal with ESPN. Apparently or allegedly stole network affiliation from an existing station. I think ABC ended up paying the station, and the Dickeys. This is how different from the mafia? Some FCC Rule about Network affiliations.

Where do entitlement mentality and slavery cross paths? I suppose those slaves in the south had entitlement mentality because they wanted to have good working conditions or be able to go to the hospital when they was whipped?

There is a vast difference between a good paying job in mexico and one in the US.

Just keep it up and I will hunt you down and give Amos Brown your home phone number!

 

[Phus]

When I took my first ever radio gig it was with a group of radio kids in Columbus. No experience whatsoever in radio but they hired me to come in every weekend and push buttons for Dick Bartley. After that, I was on air from 11-midnight. I was going to take that job because I was going to be working at a radio station. I didn't give a rats if it was going to be paying minimum wage... I was going to have a COOL job! To my surprise, it paid a dollar more per hour! Wahoo!

I also met some pretty cool kids there! Some of which I still keep in touch with!

A foot in the door and a chance to gain some experience.

I went to college and majored in Electronic Media... spent seven years of my life and paid $75,000 dollars to be on the mighty WICR. I became program director and then production director of that station. Won a few awards. Met a bunch of pretty cool kids.

Another stepping stone and a chance to meet people.

Moving right along to Cumulus... on the air in market 40 (even though it's for :15 seconds per hour)... getting paid more than minimum wage... and still meeting some pretty cool kids! It's a weekend job but it's still cool to me because radio is cool! Meeting new radio kids is cool. The money is not... but I knew that coming into the game. Radio is more to me than money. As Foster said to me in Columbus... you really have to have it in your belly to be in this biz... and I'm fully prepared to work two jobs to keep myself active in radio.

I know what you're saying, Chief. But, for me, my :15 seconds of fame is all that I have at this point in time and at least I'm still in the biz that I love. But I'm lookin' and keeping an eye on the job boards both at Cumulus and around the country for my full time gig. Maybe a foot in the door at Cumulus can lead to something more? It worked in Columbus... and I hear that it worked for our former boss on Shadeland!

Keep your fingers crossed for me!

...and Ho... you'll have to ask Queen. They're the ones who have it copyrighted!

 

[radioho]

Mom and Pop run automation these days. You are creating a scenario that doesn't exist.

Where is Mom and Pop in Indy? The closest thing we have to 'independent' is Crazy Uncle Russ! And we all know he doesn't get it.

Did I mention Cumulous is CHEAP?

No argument there. Name a corporation that doesn't do everything on the cheap - including the 'so-called' local independent, WKLU.

I believe the way the Dickeys run their stations are on the backs of people. The one thing an automation system can't do well is record traffic from metro. This is why they need a live body.

If they only need a live body for traffic - how are they running their stations on the 'backs of people?' Makes no sense.

Is radioho Lew Dickey?

No, but I LOVE that name.

In nashville the Dickeys did a real deal with ESPN. Apparently or allegedly stole network affiliation from an existing station. I think ABC ended up paying the station, and the Dickeys. This is how different from the mafia? Some FCC Rule about Network affiliations.

A station does not 'steal' a network affiliation. It has to be awarded by the network. Maybe the original affiliate did not live up to its' obligations regarding network affiliation - giving the network reason to leave. Allegations with no support - you 'believe' this happened? c'mon.

Where do entitlement mentality and slavery cross paths? I suppose those slaves in the south had entitlement mentality because they wanted to have good working conditions or be able to go to the hospital when they was whipped?

Working at McDonald's is different than working at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. I imagine the pay is different also. Shaking the grease off the fries (ie - reading weather once every hour) vs preparing a steak dinner in a fine restaurant justify different pay scales.

And what a RACIST comment to make. YOU chose the low-pay life of radio weather/liner/news reader. Slaves HAD NO CHOICE! [EDIT]

Just keep it up and I will hunt you down and give Amos Brown your home phone number!

He already has it!


[EDIT-inflammatory]

 

[AndTheLambGoesBAA]

Place your bets!

Taking bets now on when this thread is segregated to Take It Outside?

 

[Phus]

Oh, that quote...

yeah, sure.